Advicwe needed before i spend hard earned cash!1

[lolabird]

Hi everybody

Just quick query have saved up hard earned dosh and have budget of about £900.00 looking to upgrade from point and push to first DSLR - read what seems like millions of reviews and opinions and have sort of settled on Nikon D90. Would like to know firstly whether i should go for just camera body and purchase separate lenses ( would like a decent macro and then all round lens - intend to shoot close ups then mainly kids and pets to learn the ins and outs of the camera but in the future would like to be able to shoot landscapes - live near the coast with 4 beaches nearby - brilliant sunrises and sunsets). Or should i get the bundle with the 18-105mm VR lens. Or am i barking up the wromg tree entirely with my camera choice - my husband is playing devils advocate and keeps telling me to be really sure before i buy and reminding me of all the different brands etc out there - this from someone who can't program the sky + box !! Any advice would be much appreciated before me and the hubby come to blows!!

[krennon]

No such thing as a bad DSLR in this day and age, have you tried the D90 in a shop as any camera needs to "feel right" in your hands....D90 is a good marque though, but don't rule out the SONYS/PENTAXES/OLYS, I would suggest have a look/phone someone like PARK CAMERAS or WAREHOUSE EXPRESS and see what deal they would offer you, if you want to do landscapes though invest in some filters (I wish I had as I'm now trying to scrape some pennies together for a decent polarizer)

[lolabird]

Realise that actually getting my hands on a piece of kit is the best way to feel whats right but nearest decent camera shop is over 60 miles and with 2 kids and work not easy to get there - was going to order online Thanks for advice re filters though will keep it in mind but am long way off that yet i feel just want to get started with my camera and get learning as i go.

[Silvia]

I think it's really important to get a feel of it or you might not be happy, especially if you're switching to a DSRL for the first time. As it's a lot heavier than a point and shoot, it should feel right in your hands. Being in a shop and taking the different cameras in your hands and just shooting, tells you a lot about how it's going to be to handle. After all you should be comfortable with your new gear!

Generally current DSLRs all do a great job, so you can't really go wrong with whatever you decide to buy. If you're set on buying lenses too, check out lens prices though. Some have brands have more variety than others and usually where there's competition there's good prices

[flake]

I have to dissagree that it's important to 'feel' a camera in the shop. Most DSLR's are going to seem broadly similar and offer very similar control and features, so unless there's something you really really need that the other manufacturers don't offer then copping a feel isn't going to help.

If there's some kind of photography you want to do then you should look at the systems which the rivel companies offer Nikon is strong in wide angle and wireless flash, Canon offer an amazingly wide lens line up. The two systems also show different colours so if there's one you prefer you should take a look at both of them first.

You should also take a look at the cost of the manufacturers lenses you want to buy a macro lens, well Nikon will want around £600 for their rather nice 105mm VR Macro - Canon on the other hand will ask only £425 for theirs (although they have just released a hybrid IS version now). There is also a specialised lens Canon offer which will allow 1 - 5X Macro no other company offer an equivalent.

For your £900 you could afford a Canon 40D with a 100mm Macro (Well around £975), the Nikon D90 system will set you back a cool £1250

Once you start to buy accessories - lenses flash guns etc etc you quickly become locked into one manufacturers system, it's important that you choose the right one. it's expensive to change later!

[OldBoy]

Originally Posted by flake

The two systems also show different colours so if there's one you prefer you should take a look at both of them first.

I never knew colour was so important in choosing a camera system!

The Nikon D90 is a good choice and with the 18-105mm VR lens at £809 at Warehouse Express will serve you well. Jacobs will do it for £799 plus free postage using code SUNNYFREECODE as will Jessops with free delivery or collect at store, but you have to do it through their websites. Any macro lens will cost at least £400 on its own, so might have to wait a bit before buying one of these. You could buy close-up filters which are cheep and give decent results, but not as good as a true macro.

[Silvia]

Originally Posted by flake

I have to dissagree that it's important to 'feel' a camera in the shop. Most DSLR's are going to seem broadly similar and offer very similar control and features, so unless there's something you really really need that the other manufacturers don't offer then copping a feel isn't going to help.

In my case it wasn't. I went into the store ready to buy a Sony, but it just didn't feel right, whereas the Pentax K10D did. The buttons were all easy to reach for me and it had the right size for my (rather small) hands. I was instantly happy. After reading up on it, I ordered it and haven't looked back so far. Your miles may vary of course!

Sil

[flake]

Originally Posted by OldBoy

I never knew colour was so important in choosing a camera system!

The Nikon D90 is a good choice and with the 18-105mm VR lens at £809 at Warehouse Express will serve you well. Jacobs will do it for £799 plus free postage using code SUNNYFREECODE as will Jessops with free delivery or collect at store, but you have to do it through their websites. Any macro lens will cost at least £400 on its own, so might have to wait a bit before buying one of these. You could buy close-up filters which are cheep and give decent results, but not as good as a true macro.

Well it's more of a basis for choice than the way they feel! I used a D300 and a Nissin flash at the weekend in full manual (other than autofocus) Camera & flash. Although the buttons are in different places there's no real between any of them. At first I liked the idea of the two thumbweels on the Nikon, but now I think I prefer the large wheel on the Canon, but it's such a minor thing, I certainly wouldn't regard it as a deal breaker of one system over another.

Colour on the other hand can be an issue Greens in particular are more saturated on the Canons, some prefer it, others don't. To me they look fantastic on the PC especially when compared agains the Nikon, but the Nikon is more close to what you can see in printed images, so if you're printing a lot then there's not such a big difference. I think this can be a deal breaker because I've seen Nikon users go misty eyed at some Canon shots, because their cameras don't produce the same colours, others say that they prefer the Nikon

[Sue Allen]

Used a 40D for 10 months - used a D90 for 8 months - either are good - preferred the D90 though. Changing systems? Not everyone is into expensive lenses or flashes - loads of lenses can be picked up second hand. Colours? Prefer Olympus, but there you go most things can be adjusted on the pc if you want. Handling? It's true that the different sizes and shapes and buttons can make a difference to the enjoyment - strangely I always used to get a pain across my hand from thumb to forefinger after a long day with the 40D which disappeared when I swapped to a Pentax K20D and later Fuji S5Pro and Nikons - so I suppose there can be a good reason for trying first.
D90 is a fantastic camera - my friend now has mine [I wanted the weatherproofing etc. of the D300] and has a big smile every time she uses it!

[lolabird]

Many thanks for all your advice , am hoping to make a trip fairly soon to check out the Nikon D90 and the Canon 40D in the flesh as was suggested and will look more closely at various shots taken with both to help decide what to do. Will let you know what the end result is - thanks again your advice is extremely appreciated.